ObjectivesFund scope
Climate change and increased exposure to natural and man-made hazards impede socio-economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the last decade, the country has faced several significant extreme climate and weather-related events such as dry weather and floods. By the end of the century, climate change projections for the Western Balkans region suggest an increase in the frequency, unpredictability and intensity of flooding, drought, heatwaves and wildfires. All of which will have an adverse effect on the gross domestic product of countries in the region, sector outputs and, most importantly, the lives of people.
Despite these warnings, an adequate government approach for climate-induced disasters was not promoted, including preventive measures. Bosnia and Herzegovina largely addresses disasters through emergency response actors and did not employ a whole-of-government approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Moreover, at the local level there are insufficient DRR-related capacities and few local strategic and operational frameworks, which tests the resilience of communities.
Established in 2018, the Joint Programme Bosnia and Herzegovina DRR is in line with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015-2020, specifically with the priority area to enhance human security through strengthened prevention of and responsiveness to man-made and natural disasters and sustainable management of natural, cultural and energy resources.
Theory of Change
Providing support to the most vulnerable and to high-risk local communities, the joint programme helps them prepare for, and adapt to, disaster risks and shocks across various development sectors. Programme stakeholders introduce and operationalize an integrated model of disaster risk governance and livelihood enhancement at the local level, using it as a springboard for a bottom-up introduction of DRR governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In featuring local, strategic frameworks reinforced by improved capacities it lays the foundation for longer-term effective and development-oriented disaster risk reduction governance in risk-prone areas. Engaging relevant stakeholders to mainstream DRR into local strategies and operational frameworks, the joint programme leverages broad community engagement and introduces risk-informed policy action. The programme model of improving preparedness and prevention systems at the local level offers potential for lateral scaling-up countrywide, and also gives local stakeholders the space to discuss and define methods of using DRR-related actions to increase ownership among the most vulnerable community members.
By adjusting the performance and standards of protection and rescue, education, social and child protection, health and agriculture sectors, the joint programme contributes to building community resilience in targeted areas. The communities that practice disaster resilient livelihoods and benefit from risk-informed DRR and preparedness measures, will contribute to stronger, resilient economies and safeguard development investments from future disaster risks. Ultimately, local DRR models will be used as building blocks to develop and roll-out a robust DRR governance framework across the country.